

Annual Fee: $149
Earn 80,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Earn 80,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
If you’re a business owner who loves Southwest, this card offers a nice balance of points earning and practical perks without making things too complicated. You’ll earn solid points on Southwest purchases, plus higher earning rates for gas and restaurants too. The complimentary first checked bag, preferred seat access, companion pass boost, and anniversary flight discount are welcome upgrades. It’s not the flashiest business card out there, but if Southwest is your go-to airline, it delivers great value for the low annual fee.
[.redeem] 3x [.redeem] per $1 on Southwest Airlines® purchases
[.redeem] 2x [.redeem] per $1 at gas stations and restaurants on the first $8,000 in combined purchases per anniversary year
[.redeem] 1x [.redeem] per $1 you spend on all other purchases
Annual Fee: $149
🏆 Best For Southwest Premium Perks
🏆 Best For Southwest Premium Perks
Annual Fee: $299
Earn 80,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
At Daily Drop, our mission is simple: to help you explore the world affordably and experience life-changing travel by maximizing miles and points. Our team of travel and credit card experts is here to help you make decisions about which cards belong in your wallet. Based on your travel goals, we offer unbiased advice to help you make the best choices. Keep in mind that our suggestions require responsible credit card use.
Here at Daily Drop, we score credit cards using a proprietary formula based on dozens of metrics across six key categories: annual fee, welcome offer, rewards rates, redemption value, benefits & perks, and travel protections. Higher scores indicate better overall value.
We net the annual fee against statement credits you'll likely use and focus on a welcome offer’s true return on spending (ROI) rather than just the headline number. We value rewards by their actual worth in cents per point, which is why flexible, transferable points typically score highest. APR is not a standalone scoring category because we recommend paying in full to maximize points and miles, but an intro 0% APR counts as a perk.
Our reviews are editorial and experience-driven. Our team has earned and redeemed millions of miles and points and tested these cards around the world. After all, we would not be Daily Drop if we were not practicing what we preach.
Read our full methodology for more information.
Like it or not, I live near a Southwest hub, and that means I fly the airline all the time. So the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card adds a lot of value to my wallet. But the biggest reason I signed up earlier this year? The Companion Pass. This card helped me earn it, and between that and bringing our little one as a lap infant, my family of three can currently fly while only paying for one ticket, plus taxes and fees.
I also spent years being a carry-on-only traveler, but traveling with a baby has officially ended that streak. Having my first checked bag free might not sound like the most exciting perk, but these days, it’s one I truly appreciate. For a small-business owner who regularly flies Southwest, this card has some very practical value that, in my opinion, easily justifies its annual fee.

$0 intro annual fee the first year, then $150
[.pro] First checked bag free [.pro]
[.pro] Anniversary perks and bonuses [.pro]
[.pro] Preferred Seat Selection within 48 hours prior to departure, when available [.pro]
[.con] Points have the best value within the Southwest ecosystem; if you want to book award flights on other airlines, go for a card that earns transferable points [.con]
[.con] No premium perks [.con]
[.redeem] 3x [.redeem] per $1 on Southwest Airlines® purchases
[.redeem] 2x [.redeem] per $1 at gas stations and restaurants on the first $8,000 in combined purchases per anniversary year
[.redeem] 1x [.redeem] per $1 you spend on all other purchases
[.dontreco] We don’t recommend: Redeeming points for non-flight rewards [.dontreco]
While you can use your Rapid Rewards points for things like gift cards, the value per point is significantly lower compared to booking flights. Save your points for flights to get the best value and enjoy those free trips.
[.alwaysreco] We always recommend: Booking directly through Southwest’s website [.alwaysreco]
Booking directly on the Southwest's website often unlocks promotional offers and ensures you earn points on your fare. Just keep an eye on blackout dates and availability, as value can fluctuate depending on travel dates.
[.alwaysreco] We always recommend: Earning the Companion Pass [.alwaysreco]
While you have to earn it, the Companion Pass is a game changer, as it lets a friend or family member fly with you for just the cost of taxes for the lifespan of your pass. Earning this benefit is especially valuable for frequent travelers.
If you already fly Southwest frequently, pairing the Southwest Premier Business with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® gives you premium benefits the Southwest card doesn’t provide, like airport lounge access, best-in-class travel protections, and a flexible travel credit. You’ll still use the Premier Business for Southwest purchases, but the Reserve helps you cover the rest of your travel.
The pairing of the Southwest Premier Business and the Ink Business Preferred is an excellent pairing for business travelers. With the Ink Business Preferred, you earn Ultimate Rewards points in key business categories, which can be converted to Southwest points for future flights (UR points transfer to Southwest). Plus, the Ink Business Preferred offers business perks such as purchase protection and extended warranty coverage, for a low annual fee.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Card is built for business owners who fly Southwest regularly and want the most out of that loyalty. It’s an airline loyalty card first rather than a general business spender, so again, it works best for people who already travel Southwest regularly.
This might not be the best card for travelers who only fly Southwest once or twice per year, as the higher annual fee probably won't be worth it. It's also not the best for travelers who want flexibility with their points. With this card, you're only earning Southwest points. If you want to be able to transfer to many different airlines or hotels, look towards a card that earns transferable points.
You also probably shouldn’t own a credit card if you: (1) have a bad credit score, (2) cannot control your spending. If your credit score is low, you'll need to improve it before applying for travel credit cards. And be honest with yourself: if a new credit card will tempt you to overspend, it's best to avoid it. Credit cards are crucial for earning miles and points, but they require responsible use.
The recommended credit for this card is good to excellent.



